Kind Hearts Dog Training Center
Giving you training tools to bring manners & trust into your dog’s life.
Kind Hearts is also a nonprofit and our classes help to fund the work of Therapy Partners.
We opened the doors to our first dog training facility in 2001. Our trainers have decades of dog training experience. They bring this knowledge and passion to the floor as they guide individuals through humane training techniques, such as using a clicker for commands, and teach individuals how to lead their companion animal to become a well-mannered member of the family.
2025 Session Schedules
Registration for Session 2 will open Monday, February 10.
Classes meet one hour a week for seven weeks. The cost for the seven week session is $150. Class registration fee is non-refundable.
Session 1 January 7 - February 22, 2025 (depending on class/day selected)
Session 2 March 15 - May 2, 2025 (depending on class/day selected)
Session 3 May 10 - June 28, 2025. NO class on Sat, May 24th due to Memorial Day weekend.
Session 4 August 2-September 20, 2025. NO class on Sat, Aug 30th or Mon, Sept 1st due to Labor Day.
Session 5 Dates TBD but likely September 29-November 22, 2025. NO classes the week of October 6-11 due to Fall Break.
Current & Upcoming Classes
PUPPY KINDERGARTEN
For pups ages 9-20 weeks at the start of class, we’ll get you and your puppy off to a great start. We offer socialization with novel sights, sounds, and experiences as we help your pup learn to live with its new human family. We tackle common puppy challenges with positive training techniques. The first day of class is for humans only. Class registration fee is non-refundable. Classes meet one hour a week for seven weeks and cost $150 for the seven week session.
For pups ages 9-20 weeks at the start of class, we’ll get you and your puppy off to a great start. We offer socialization with novel sights, sounds, and experiences as we help your pup learn to live with its new human family. We tackle common puppy challenges with positive training techniques. The first day of class is for humans only. Class registration fee is non-refundable. Classes meet one hour a week for seven weeks and cost $150 for the seven week session.
BEGINNING MANNERS
For dogs from 5 months + to senior citizens. We’ll show you how to teach your dog good manners and prevent unruly behavior in fun, innovative ways. We make learning enjoyable and rewarding for you and your dog. Dogs will begin to learn sit, down, wait, come and loose lead walking. Individual behavior problems are also addressed. Attendance at the first class is mandatory. The first day of class is for humans only. Class registration fee is non-refundable. Classes meet one hour a week for seven weeks and cost $150 for the seven week session.
For dogs from 5 months+ to senior citizens. Dogs will begin to learn sit, down, wait, come and loose lead walking. Individual behavior problems are also addressed. We’ll show you how to teach your pup good manners and prevent unruly behavior in fun, innovative ways. We make learning fun and rewarding. Human volunteers provide an opportunity for socialization and for your dog to practice greeting “friendly strangers.”
Attendance at the first class is mandatory. The first day of class is for humans only. Classes meet one hour a week for seven weeks. The sessions are seven weeks long and cost $150. Registration fee is non-refundable.
INTERMEDIATE MANNERS
Improve your skills as you and your dog prepare for the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test! Classes add distractions, distance, and duration to skills. There may be field trips to dog-friendly locations, and we’ll incorporate real-world scenarios to your CGC preparation. Successful graduation from Beginning Manners is a prerequisite. Class registration fee is non-refundable. Classes meet one hour a week for seven weeks and cost $150 for the seven week session.
Improve your skills and prepare you and your dog for the AKC CGC (Canine Good Citizen) test! Classes add distractions, distance, and duration to skills. Classes meet once a week for an hour. Each session is seven weeks long and costs $150.
Some classes may include field trips to dog-friendly locations, and we’ll incorporate real-world scenarios to your CGC preparation.
Successful graduation from Beginning Manners is a prerequisite. Students should NOT register with dogs that are reactive to other dogs or humans. Class registration fee is non-refundable.
THERAPY PARTNERS PREP
For owners interested in finding out if their animal is a good fit for therapy work, this class teaches handling skills relevant to animal-assisted therapy and the training/handling practices used in AAT. The first day of class is for humans only. Dogs must have passed the AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluation and be evaluated by KH trainers if the dog did not attend classes at Kind Hearts. Inquire by email if interested. Class registration fee is non-refundable. Classes meet one hour a week for seven weeks and cost $150 for the seven week session. Registration is by invitation only.
NEXT SESSION is likely Session 2 in 2025 (March-April).
DOGGIE DATE NIGHT / OUT ON THE TOWN class
Do you want to take your dog with you to canine friendly areas around town? Doggie Date Night is a class where dogs with great “on-the-town” manners can visit local dog-friendly areas and businesses. Dogs must have passed the AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluation or get instructor approval to register.
CLASS INFORMATION FOLDER
Printed class folder with information for either Puppy Kindergarten or Beginning Manners. Details the skills covered during classes and includes suggestions for homework. Printed copy is available at the first class for your convenience. All class material will be emailed at no charge prior to the start of class.
Our Trainers
Mary Graham
Number of years teaching dog training classes: 25
Mary is a CPDT-ka, a certified professional dog trainer.
Education: Completed 2 year apprenticeship under Robin Bennett and Colleen Pelar at “All About Dogs” (one of the top dog training facilities in Northern Virginia), and has participated in numerous workshops, seminars and continuing education programs relating to dog training and care.
Professional Affiliations/Titles: : CPDT-ka (Certified Pet Dog Trainer, knowledge assessed), Pet Partners Team Evaluator, Pet Partners Therapy Animal Handler, AKC CGC, Trick Dog, and STAR Puppy Evaluator, Professional level member of APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers), and Red Cross Animal Assisted Activity Coordinator for Huntsville/ Madison County.
Special interests: teaching group and individual classes to improve the relationships of family dogs with their people.
Jennie Hudson
Number of years teaching dog training classes: 9
Jennie is a CPDT-ka, a certified professional dog trainer.
Education: BA Commercial Spanish
Professional Affiliations/Volunteering: CPDT-KA, Pet Partners Team Evaluator, Pet Partners Handler since 2013, Huntsville Animal Services Foundation Board Member
Special Interests: Horseback riding & gardening.
Judy Winter
Number of years teaching dog training classes: 1, 8 years assisting
Judy is an instructor for Beginning Manners and assists in all other classes.
Education: : Began training my dogs in 1986 with HOTC, OTCH and Kind Hearts instructors. Assisted Don Jackson, Phil Graham, Mary Graham and others. Apprenticed under Mary Graham. Current dog has titles in CGC , Urban CGC, Novice Rally, Intermediate Rally, and Novice Trick dog.
Professional Affiliations/Volunteering: Pet Partners Therapy Animal Handler
Special Interest Areas: Love working with people to help them gain a closer relationship and better understanding of their dogs.
Phil Graham
Number of years teaching dog training classes: 5
Phil has been a lead trainer for Beginning Manners courses and assists in other classes.
Experience: Three year background in assisting handlers with canines with dog-to-dog interaction issues and high activity/low self-control issues. Also, assisted lead trainers in Beginning Manners for two years.
Professional Affiliations/Titles: Pet Partners Therapy Animal Handler, AKC CGC, Canine Good Citizen Evaluator and steward for both AKC Obedience and AKC Rally Obedience events in the local Huntsville area.
Ethical Alignment: Interested in canine cognition, handler-canine communications and building mutual trust between handler and canine companion. Focus upon least intrusive, minimally aversive approach to foundational handler skills in a positive training environment. The goal of his approach to training is to build a team relationship between a handler and their companion canine.
